I haven’t read the book yet, but I do recommend that you take an hour or so to listen to these fascinating, wonderfully-written and -read excerpts from Rory Carroll’s Comandante: Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela on BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week:
Although I’m sure hardcore chavistas will accuse Carroll of writing a hatchet job, he doesn’t spare the opposition and (in Episode 4) he demonstrates Chavez’s ability to connect with ordinary people.
Carroll, who did excellent reporting for The Guardian from Venezuela, was featured in a 2008 episode of Chavez’s TV show Alo Presidente!:
As for Carroll’s question to Chavez– about why he wanted to eliminate term limits for President and not for other elective offices– the Comandante later had a change of heart. After losing a 2007 referendum that would have lifted only Presidential term limits– in part because other elected officials had no real motivation to actively support it– he oversaw another, successful referendum in 2009 that abolished term limits for everyone.
(Hat tip: Caracas Chronicles)
